TechCrunch Daily Crunch Threads edges out X in daily mobile users, new data shows
Jan 20, 2026
Threads has officially surpassed X in daily mobile users, sparking discussions about its rapid growth and increasing user habits. Meanwhile, Meta is pulling back on its VR ambitions, laying off staff from Reality Labs and shifting focus to AI. TikTok enters the scene with PineDrama, a new microdrama app featuring one-minute episodic content. On another front, controversy brews around X's Grok with deepfake image issues leading to investigations. It’s a whirlwind of tech news and shifts in user engagement!
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Meta Abandons Big Metaverse Bet
- Meta poured massive resources into the Metaverse but is now pivoting away toward AI.
- Reality Labs spent about $73 billion and recent cuts signal the metaverse experiment is largely over.
TikTok Tests Microdrama App
- TikTok launched Pine Drama, a standalone app for one-minute episodic microdramas in the US and Brazil.
- The app is free and currently ad-free, and competes with microdrama platforms as the format grows fast.
Threads Surpasses X On Mobile
- SimilarWeb data shows Threads now has higher daily mobile users than X, with 141.5M vs 125M.
- Threads' mobile growth likely stems from cross-promotion, creator focus, and feature rollouts rather than just X controversies.